Mumbai is where home is   Simran in Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi

Simran, who started off as Mammootty’s heroine in Indraprastham, is today one of the most successful heroines in Tamil and Telugu filmdom. Her 50th film Panchathanthiram, with Kamal Haasan in the lead, has just been released. Her acting talents were never in doubt but her offscreen activities were the grist of rumour mills. Currently acting in Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi directed by Rajeshwar, Simran took time off to talk about her career.

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What made you accept Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi which is neither arty nor a commercial film?
The script is the reason. It was given to me by Rajeswar and sounded very interesting. The makers were not sure whether I would accept it. After I agreed and did a photo shoot, the results were even more interesting. The film is about a real life character, of a woman who fights not only for herself but for the entire community. It’s not an upper caste oppression that she is fighting o the rich versus poor. It’s a very bold film.

Of late, your statements and reports in the media make you sound as an arrogant lady.
Arrogance, no way. You may say I am a bold person. I continue to be one but never arrogant. I don’t know why I am being targeted now when I have always been good with the press?

Maybe it’s the competitor handiwork. There are so many new girls on the block. Aren’t they threatening your position?
I have never believed in the number game. Also I never said that I am a number one star. Moreover, I have never considered anybody as my rival. I have acted with makers like Balachander, Mani Rathnam and Kamal Haasan. Could all this have been possible otherwise? I am a very straightforward and practical person. I don’t go by emotions. I don’t consider anyone as my competitor. I know that tomorrow somebody will replace me. At that point, I am prepared to leave.

It is good to act in films that are directed by big names but it is equally important for a mainstream actress to be in films that are hits?
nI have always given importance to the subject and have given dates to any director with a good subject. I worked with directors Ezhil, Surya, Ravichandran, and Sharan when they were newcomers.

How was it working with Kamal Haasan the first time?
Usually I give a final shot after three rehearsals but with Kamalji around, it would go on to six to seven times. This was happening to me for the first time in my six-year career. But in the second film, we were more at ease and so it was not much of a problem. He is a great actor and a wonderful person too.

You are doing a film with Mohanlal titled Popcarn?
Yes. He is another actor who just blasts you on screen. Kamalji has several rehearsals unlike Mohanlal before going for a take and so you know what is coming. With Mohanlal, he has very few rehearsals and even during the rehearsals he does not do anything.
Yet after the shot is over and you see the monitor and notice that he has just blown you over. With these two actors you really need to be alert. Director Nasar of Popcarn has done a wonderful job.

Subtlety is your hallmark, is it your way of acting or do you do what the director asks of you?
That’s right. I just follow the director’s suggestions because he knows want he wants from me. It is he who knows the scene and the character very well. I just add to it.

What are your future films?
I have a film with Vijaykant, one with Arjun and another film with director Surya apart from Kovilpatti ... and Popcarn under production.

What about Kotteswaran and Udaya in Tamil?
Kotteswaran by KT Kunjumon, I think, is unlikely to release. Udaya with Vijay, I heard, has been taken over by Oscar Movies. And I have no idea what is happening to it.

What about films in other languages?
Right now I plan to concentrate on Tamil films only because I love this industry. When I was busy doing Telugu films, I realised that I had lost out on many offers in Tamil.

Have you shifted to Mumbai now?
Not really. When there was powercut and water shortage problem at my Chennai house, I decided to pack up and stay in a hotel whenever I was in Chennai. As soon as I get a good house I plan to shift over. Mumbai is my birthplace and it will continue to be my home.

Have you given up on Hindi films?
I tried my best here but I think the makers here did not work to my liking. So I decided to concentrate on Tamil films. Now Boney Kapoor wants me to do the remake of the Tamil film Charlie Chaplin and I have yet to confirm it.

You are basically a loner.
Of course not. I have many friends. Vijaykant was of help when I was undergoing some problem. Similarly Rajeswar took the initiative to clear the problems with the media for me.

—Ayyappa Prasad